Mobile Phone Photography by Emiliana Chávez

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Monthly Archives: May 2014

Yesterday I attended a #YesAllWomen Live rally in downtown Seattle at West Lake Center. I felt the need to attend because there is one violent event from my past that I was there for. In 1988 my best friend cousin Katina Chavez was 15 years old and found strangled to death in the river near her home. To this day the murder has gone unsolved. This was an act of violence of the highest magnitude because it meant death. Her life ended and this is how.

Crime stopper report from 1988

1972 – 1988

This was her and I in the back row.

This picture will forever haunt me now. She was found murdered in the river behind us. This pic was taken when we were about 4 or 5. Katina was the girl in red. I’m the one with the light blue shirt.

I did not get up and tell this story because I was nervous and was wanting to observe what others had to say. Every single person who spoke was speaking from the heart and core. It was emotional and having to scream at the top of your lungs was a release….I mean how often do you just get to scream really loud?? Let it out!

These are a few quotes I captured from the rally.

“The way this society treats women is that of a lower class”

“It’s difficult when our story falls on def & denial ears”

“I’m sick of being paranoid when I go on a walk” “I’m sick of having feelings reduced to a PMS symptom” “I’m sick of being harassed and called a cunt if I say leave me alone” “we all deserve to be respected” “I just want equality”

“One out four women will be raped or harassed in college” “if you can’t imagine sex without porn then you’re fucked” “women are not objects nor the breeders of children” “we are more than objects”

“Stop being a silent bystander”

“I was sexually harassed and the first question I was asked was…what were you wearing?”

“Call people out when they keep people down …we will not tolerate it!!!”

“Prevention and awareness us what we need.”

Finally to those who laughed and mocked at the people opening up to complete strangers I suggest you walk a mile in some else shoes before you start thumping your chest and acting like a complete disrespectful jackass.

This is how I spent my Memorial Day on May 26th, 2014. Hiking with friends in the Cascade Mountain Range. We had a mixed bag of weather but ended with beautiful sun breaks when we needed them. This is our picture story 🙂

Started off with as beautiful drive eastbound on I-90 towards North Bend.

Our gear! We were prepared with all the essentials in case of emergency. Hiking poles recommended.

The trees are so tall that all you can do is look up and see green all around. Lots of moss growing on the trees every where.

Steady pace keep trekking because before long you will not have the luxury of these types of steps when we close to the top it gets rocky rocky road.

First siting of an outcrop! We’re getting close to the top!

When we arrived at the top a cloud was sitting there. Within 20 minutes it floated away and the sun came out to play.

Here comes the sun!

What’s Momma doing?

more sun breaks!

There are two people in black standing at the top of the tree line. This will give you scale of the hay stack!

The Memorial

note: fire arm was carried up top discreetly, hidden and with respect. Sole purpose was for staged photo at top to memorialize all veterans. Magazine was empty. All in accordance with the laws and registered in the State of Washington.

The Unit! These veterans all served together historically in such places like Kuwait, Iraq and Afghanistan.

Patches just spotted a chipmunk.

Chugg-a-Lug Lexie you carried the heaviest pack 4 miles up the mountain.

This is Cookie. She is my Chihuahua and came to me in April 2012. She was taken from a home in California because the person observed the abuse she was receiving from the owners and could not take it. She was shot at by bb guns, abused and forced to live in a cage and not allowed inside the home. She had so much fear in her head when I met her that she would spin in a circle and pee on herself 😦 I don’t even want to know the rest of what these people did to her. It just breaks my heart and soul.

Two years later I’m happy to report that with lots of care, patience and love Cookie has come out of her shell. Her favorite thing in the world is to play fetch with her brother Paco.

Last September (2013) Paco was given to me from a elderly couple in Tucson, Arizona. He was only a puppy and came from a very good home. The couple didn’t have the energy for a puppy and realized they were in over their head which is why I adopted Paco from them. He doesn’t have any pre-disposition to fear like Cookie did. He has been an amazing buddy for her and now they are attached at the hip and inseparable. His confidence is very good for Cookie 🙂

I’m sharing this story because it makes me happy to tell.

My Sugar Cookie

Sometimes I look over at her and she is just staring at me like this 🙂 she loves her Momma.